Dementia-friendly lounge and garden opens at Kathleen Rutland Home

A multifunctional lounge and garden, specifically designed
to meet the needs of older people with sight loss and dementia, has officially
opened at Kathleen Rutland Home.

Unveiled on Wednesday 30 November, the multifunctional
living spaces incorporate assistive and innovative technology to provide for
sight loss and dementia needs.

The lounge was opened with a ribbon cutting by Christine
Merrill, Chairman at Blaby District Council, and the garden was opened by Chris
Arrowsmith, Interchange Manager at Global Payments.

The lounge includes a range of furnishings and decorations
designed to generate nostalgia, helping people with dementia to feel more
comfortable and familiar with their surroundings.

The new sensory garden has been created with input from
residents and their families. Designed to stimulate senses and trigger
memories, the garden includes sensory plants and a variety of mock shops, as
well as a quiet seating area to offer a place of tranquillity.

Charlotte Jackson, Manager of Kathleen Rutland Home, said
“The lounge and garden have been revolutionised in order to help our residents
maintain their independence, reduce any distress and anxiety, and improve each
person’s health and emotional wellbeing.”

“The lounge now has smaller seating areas, created for a
more comfortable and intimate setting, where our residents can enjoy spending
time.”

“The garden provides a space where our residents can hold
meaningful interactions away from the busy main lounge area, which can create
distractions and confusion for those with dementia.”

“These innovative facilities lead the way in improving the
quality of care that we provide.”

The lounge was kindly funded by Blaby District Council, W G
Edwards Foundation and Baron Davenport’s Charity. The garden was funded by the
money raised from the Leicester Marathon 2014, including the team from Global
Payments.

Kathleen Rutland Home, situated in Leicester Forest East, delivers
high quality residential care to older people with a sensory impairment and
people with dementia.